Do Not Disturb

Lately we can't help but laugh and capture on film what a funny sleeper Riley is. Check out some of the sleeping positions we have found Riley in over the past few weeks.

As you can see, you should still practice being a lady while snoozing.

Or you can practice the "I've had WAY too much to drink" passed out look.

Or what about the laying down meditation look.

Oh come on, like your kid doesn't sleep like this too?!?!

All I can say about this one is thank god that frog is stuffed, because he would've never had a chance!

And she's off

Riley finally began crawling the other day. I finally was given the opportunity to tape her going. I have to say, this is the best birthday present ever!!

PS - Don't mind my pantless child - she likes to veg out when she gets home!

Bird is the word

It's Memorial Day weekend and Riley and I are spending it at Gramps and Juh-Juh's house. We spent the entire day outside (except during the rainstorm) and it seems as though Riley really loves the birds. She even learned how to say bird. Check it out (she will say it about 28 seconds into the video).

9 Months

Today Riley turned 9 months old. It was an exciting day to reflect on all of her accomplishments over the past month. Let's see, Riley has mastered mama and dada. She definitely says mama way more and I am not the least bit upset over that! She has mastered clapping. She finally realized that if she opens her hands it makes noise. We can't get her to stop clapping. She has learned how to wave hello and goodbye and even says "bye bye" (not too clearly, but she only says it when she's waving, so obviously we think she is saying bye bye). Riley loves standing. Crawling still frustrates her, but she gives a great effort everyday. We are starting to experiment with some table foods - most recently french toast - which she loves.

We are one more month closer to 1. I still sit and watch Riley and wonder how lucky we are to be parents to this beautiful girl!! Stayed tuned to see what exciting adventures Riley has over the next month!!

Riley Paige - 05.21.09 - 9 months old

The last 72 hours

It's been quite the weekend in the Clark house. It seems to Jeremy and I as though our little baby girl has taken the next step towards becoming a toddler. While Riley has been practicing crawling (never getting far) and clapping her hands (usually done with closed fists) and pulling herself up (usually gets to her knees before she screams in frustration), she suddenly begun to do all three really well within the last few days.

After sharing with my sisters how much Riley accomplished this weekend, the great Aunt Jenny said to me "so are you going to move the crib down?" And I said "Nah, the bumper is in the way - she doesn't even know there are bars there." Obviously I was completely wrong - take a look at what I found today while Riley was supposed to be napping. Gotta love a curious kid!!

R says "rrrrrrr"

Riley must really love us. Recently Riley has decided that she cannot do anything unless mommy or daddy is either (a) directly next to her or (b) holding her. This makes for quite the difficult task when mommy and Riley come home at the end of the day and dinner needs to be made. So, we decided to get some magnets that Riley can play with while mommy cooks dinner. They're great because if you put the letter in the holder it tells you the letter and makes the sound that the letter makes. A bonus for us is that it sings the alphabet - Riley's favorite song (seriously - it's her favorite).




She seems to enjoy them, but the true test will be Monday night when we get home and dinner needs to be made!!!

What I learned about being a mom...

Yesterday I was able to for the first time in my life celebrate a day that millions of women in the world celebrate - Mother's Day. Every May for the past 28 years of my life, I paid homage to my mom and grandma (and more recently my sisters) who are mothers - women who put their lives and needs on hold for these teeny tiny people in hopes that they turn out to be successful adults.

In the past 8 1/2 months, I have been a mom (or ma ma as I am called daily). Someone once told me that there is nothing in the world like hearing your child say "ma ma" for the first time. I can't tell you how true that is. You always know that your child knows who you are - simply by a look, but to hear the words - it's a whole new ball game!

For 28 years of my life, my mom was my teacher, and although she still is, there is a new teacher in town named Riley Paige. I have learned something new every single day since becoming a mom and I have Riley to thank for that. I only hope that I can be as good of a teacher to Riley as she has been to me. I continue to look forward to learning lots from Riley and being able to see the world through her eyes. Being a mom can be stressful, trying and tiring, but the giggles and smiles and looks of amazement from a tiny face outweigh those trying times. I love being a mom more than I could have ever imagined and couldn't be happier I joined the club!!

Keira & Riley -- BCF!

Today I went to my Aunt Jenny and Uncle Darrell's house in New Jersey. Even though we were there to celebrate Mother's Day, I couldn't help but think about how awesome my big cousin Keira is. I haven't seen her in a few weeks and went I got there she was so excited to see me, she just kept saying "Riley, Riley, Riley."

She gave me lots of kisses and hugs.


She even pushed me on her swing - how many one year olds do you know would do that?


She shared her sidewalk chalk with me...


...and her toys


So I just wanted to say to my best big cousin Keira, that even though we live far away, I can't help but know that we are going to be the closest cousins ever!! Soon enough we'll be tearing up the parks, pools and backyards together. I hope that sometime over the summer you can come to my house for a visit and I promise that I will share my toys with you and you can nap in my crib. Can't wait to see you again soon !

Riley & Keira - BCF
(Best Cousins Forever)

BUBBLES

Riley has been working very hard on her words. Recently she has learned how to say ribbit, piggy and bubbles. She has been saying mama but only when she is upset. Here is a short video of her saying bubbles - we can't get enough!!

And after this, we took her outside to blow bubbles - she had a blast!!